ABOUT COLAS

COLAS, a subsidiary of the BOUYGUES Group, specializes in the design, construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure, delivered in a responsible manner. Present in more than 50 countries across five continents, through a network of 2,000 construction units and 3,500 materials production units, Colas employs 64,000 people committed to connecting people and facilitating exchanges in the world of today and tomorrow.

COLAS’ ambition is to become the world leader in innovative and responsible mobility solutions. In 2025, COLAS generated €16 billion in revenue, 59% of which came from international operations.

The EMEA Division (Europe–Middle East & Africa) currently employs 13,000 people across 26 countries.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Operations Manager of COLAS Chili reports to the CEO of the organization. He is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all operational activities related to road construction projects and industrial production facilities.

He ensures the safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of construction projects while maximizing the performance of industrial assets such as asphalt plants.

He drives operational excellence, supports business growth, develops teams, and ensures compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability (HSES) standards.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership

• Lead and coordinate all road construction and industrial operations within the country.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and according to quality requirements.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs and productivity targets.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives across construction and industrial activities.

Project Management Oversight

• Supervise the execution of major road construction, civil engineering, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects.
• Allocate resources efficiently among projects.
• Support tender preparation and project start-up processes.
• Manage project risks and resolve operational challenges.
• Ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled and client expectations are met.

Industrial Operations Management

• Oversee the performance of asphalt plants and equipment fleet
• Ensure production targets, quality standards, and cost objectives are achieved.
• Optimize the plant and equipment utilization, maintenance schedules, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor raw material supply, inventory management, and logistics.

Financial Performance

With the support of the financial team :

• Manage operational budgets and cost control initiatives.
• Monitor project and industrial profitability.
• Analyze operational and financial performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency gains and margin improvement.
• Contribute to annual business planning and forecasting processes.

Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability

• Promote a strong safety culture across all sites and facilities.
• Ensure full compliance with HSE regulations and company standards.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Drive environmental and sustainability initiatives, including recycling and carbon reduction programs.

People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop project managers, plant managers, site managers, and operational teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development.
• Participate in recruitment and retention initiatives for key operational positions.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, and regulatory authorities.
• Represent the company in operational and technical discussions.
• Support business development activities and customer satisfaction initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, HR, Procurement, Engineering, and HSE functions.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Engineering, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in road construction (project, production and resource management).
• Strong understanding of contract, budget and financial management.
• Ability to monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Spanish and English working language